Scheri

Another winner for me

Revisado: 12-12-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Marigold Chain

This is my ninth audiobook written Stella Riley which is always read by my favourite narrator, Alex Wyndham. I'm a big fan of these two.

The Marigold Chain is the story of Chloe Herveaux and Alex Deveril.
It started with Chloe accepting a drunken marriage arrangement to escape a family plight. Now, this is a slow-burn romance, very akin to the romance development of Splendid Defiance (this remains my number one, I have listened to it four times). It starts slow and builds up towards the middle and I find this always rewarding to read in the end.

Stella's writing is flawless and I could not recommend her books enough.
English is a second language to me and I admire her writing skills because one actually learns something from her books.
Also, these historical novels of her are really, well, historical.
She effortlessly juxtaposes romance with the current turmoil of the times.
I must admit that if I was reading the historical information by myself, I would probably not be too interested because this was not a subject I was keen on back when I was a student.
Ironically, I do love historical romances.

I liked the main characters in this novel (it took me some time to like the male character though) , including the supporting characters. I particularly love the heroine because we could always count on Stella to create female leads that have depth in their character. Chloe is spirited, smart, and err.. strong (you will laugh when you get to a part where she shows her strength)

There were some bits of hilarious moments that I was not expecting and would not spoil it here.
Compared to the other eight books I have read, I believe this one has more of action scenes in them, which I did not mind because Alex read these parts seamlessly with much animation. It made me feel like I was watching a movie in my head. I probably would want more "romantic scenes" between the main characters but I still finished this audiobook with a smile.

Go treat yourselves with these lovely audiobooks by Stella Riley and Alex Wyndham. And I highly recommend you get the (books separately, if, just like me, you would want to review the historical bits which have piqued my interest as I don't know much about English history.


Five stars for me!

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Sorry, can't finish it

Revisado: 11-08-20

I only made it to Chapter 2.
If you were so used to the likes of David Suchet and Hugh Fraser narrating Agatha Christie, I'm sure you won't appreciate this reading of Zerah Jane Naqvi

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Konmari 2.0

Revisado: 10-01-20

Konmari had helped me declutter but I felt like it wasn't enough. After listening to this book, I'm hoping that minimalism will stick much longer this time.

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Worth a listen!

Revisado: 10-01-20

This book inspired me to reevaluate my habits and try a bit harder during this tough time in life.

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no, just NO to the FEMALE NARRATOR

Revisado: 05-10-20

the female narrator sounded like a granny...urggh
the male narrator was PERFECT but even that could not salvage this
Please remember Alexandra Shawnee's name, and remember NOT to listen to books narrated by her unless it's about creepy grannies

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It's good I read the book first

Revisado: 01-14-20

The story was sweet and clean, and a slow burn. I love the character development of the main characters, particularly Lincoln.
He's just the sweetest and made me want my own *McG* I would read the novel again.

The audiobook must have been tough to narrate because half of it was an email exchange between Beth, the heroine, and her gal pal.
It was funny most of the time and I appreciated the second character's development and even a glimpse of her own love life.
That part of Laura Hamilton's narration was good. The other half, Lincoln's POV was not so good. This should have been given to a male narrator. It was also frustrating (if I hadn't read the book) to listen to the long-awaited face-to-face meeting between of Beth and Lincoln because I think the narrator didn't do it any justice. It was much better to read that part in print than listening to the audiobook.
I'd still recommend it though but please read the book too.

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the first part was great

Revisado: 12-13-19

loved the adventure in the dessert but I felt the last part was drawn out
great writing, as usual, from Ms Kinsale and Mr. Boulton's narration was superb, as always

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If you like cliched romances....

Revisado: 12-11-19

...then this is NOT your thing.

This book was anything but hackneyed. The praises for Ms. Kinsale's work were no mere aggrandizement. I listened to this without too much expectations because I've had disappointments after listening to many historical romances in Audible Escape (save for those narrated by Alex Wyndham, which were luckily written by brilliant writers too)

This book was by no means run-of-the-mill, formulaic like many of the historical romances out there. And coupled with an incredibly talented narrator, Nicholas Boulton, this sealed the deal in my library of to-read-and-listen-again pile.


*SOME SPOILERS*

We have an unlikely hero and an even more unlikely heroine that (after reading some of the reviews) some listeners/readers have hated. I didn't understand that. Sure, she didn't fall to this hero's charm so easily and she came off cold in the first part (the POV was mostly the hero's in the first few chapters). But I have not doubted her love for the hero, not one whit. It's the kind of stormy, passionately love that is there alright, if we all but looked more carefully. She was right to doubt the kind of love offered to her by S.T. And that's what made me admire her even more. Believe me, when her "surrender" came, it's more than enough to sweeten the bitter pill that she made us taste in the first few chapters.
I also read some reviews that the last few parts were drawn out. I disagree because I actually liked that their reunion was sweet and slow towards the end. I would be more disappointed if it were rushed and they just promptly fell into each other's arms the moment they saw each other again.

The epilogue...oh, it's...just listen to it and judge for yourself (*wink*)

The Laura Kinsale and Nicholas Boulton combo is here to stay in my library.

(PS I bought the book too, can't let go of this Prince that easily)

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*DON'T BOTHER*

Revisado: 12-08-19

The narrator actually did a good job at narrating. The narration parts were good but the moment he reads the dialogues between the male and female characters, urgggh that's when this novel (which was really not good to begin with) becomes worse
Don't bother listening to this.
I suggest you listen to the likes of Alex Wyndham's narrated books by Stella Riley, Lucinda Brant, and Mimi Matthews.

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Lovable characters and a masterful narrator

Revisado: 11-15-19

I love Ms. Riley's ability to bring me back to an era that I didn't think I could appreciate (powdered wigs and men in ribands??) I loved all the characters as well, and yep, even the parrot. Oh yes, the parrot. That's when I think I fell in love with the narrator who could make me love a parrot!
There's so much to love about this book. And English being a second language to me, I find it interesting when I read books that make me look words up in the dictionary. Stella Riley and Alex Wyndham combo is something I would lose all my credits for. I loved the "Parfit Knight" so much that I bought the book and the audiobook and would listen to it again and again at my leisure.
Highly recommended!

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